Power driven washing machine tub



Jan. 26, 1932. H. F. SNYDER 1,842,807

POWER DRIVEN WASHING MACHINE TUB Original Filed June 16, 1921 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 1/ 569 7 Z6 I i i f/ 24% *vik Jan. 26, 1932. SNYDER 1,842,807

POWER DRiVEN WASHING MACHINE TUB Original Filed June 16, 1921 2 Sheet-Sheet 2 a o 22 r A H ff 25 V 51 19 27 W v I 1%; g V f 3 I V A J 8 I f3 ml jj f5] I v Patented Jan. 26, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HOWARD F. SNYDER, OF NEWTON, IOWA, ASSIGNOR TO THE MAYTAG COMPANY, OF NEWTON, IOWA, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE POWER DRIVEN WASHING MACHINE TUB (Driginal application filed June 16, 1921, Serial No. 477,888. Divided and this application filed July 11, 1927. Serial No. 204,966.

This invention relates to washing machines.

The present application is a division of my copending application Serial No. 477,888,

a filed June 16, 1921, on which Letters Patent 1,644,959 were issued October 11, 1927.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide an all metal tub of light metal, preferably aluminum, whereby it will have a to smooth inner surface, will not water soak, rust, corrode, dry out, sliver or splinter, will remain sanitary and will possess maximum durability; to provide a light, all metal tub having angularly disposed sides preferably forming a substantially square tub (with rounded corners) wherein the lateral walls at the bottom slope downwardly toward the center and wherein the upper edges of the tub are provided with inwardly extending and preferably downwardly inclined flanges forming an open mouth for the tub and forming water draining and deflecting flanges about the open mouth.

Another object of my invention is to provide a washing machine having a tub, and especially a substantially square tub (with rounded corners), having a wringer mounted adjacent its top, and particularly at a corner thereof, so that the wringer is capable of swinging substantially over two adjacent portions or sides of the tub, and to provide the lateral walls of the tub with inwardly extending flanges forming an opening for the tub, and those flanges of the tub sides along which the wringer swings being downwardly inclined to drain the water inwardly into the opening; and in addition thereto, to provide a marginal ridge for such sides of the tub positively to direct the water inwardly to the flanges and to prevent it spilling or slopping over the sides of the tub.

Still another object of my invention resides in providing a tub with angularly disposed sides so arranged as to cause the water to sift more effectively through themeshes thereof, and wherein such sides, at the bottom of the tub, slope downwardly and inwardly to a water drain whereby a tub of such construction and shape not only permits w the Washing of a few pieces of fabric with little water, because of the sloping of the sides at the center, but also permits the facile drainage of the tub through the drain connection without tipping the tub.

Further objects of my invention are to provide a substantially square tub having perpendicular side walls and inwardly and downwardly sloping bottom walls to effect a more eflicient agitation of the water through the meshes of the fabrics under the action of the liquid impeller; to provide a substantially square tub of relatively shallow dimensions having perpendicular walls and provided with inwardly extending flanges at their upper edges which not only form an opening for the tub at the top but also provide water deflecting and draining surfaces for the tub about the opening; to provide a tub having its side walls formed with inwardly extend-' ing flanges forming an opening for the tub and forming water deflecting flanges, certain of which extend downwardly to act as drain surfaces and to permit a flat lid to be hinged to one of said flanges whereby said lid is capable of swinging downwardly to close the opening and to lie substantially flat with the top of the tub; to provide a tub having its side walls at the top provided with inwardly and downwardly extending water draining flanges forming an opening for the tub and wherein the top of the tub is provided with a marginal ridge for deflecting the water inwardly toward the draining flanges; to provide the bottom of'the tub with a drain outlet permanently connecting to a flexible drain boss, the outer end of which is suspended from the tub at a point above the water level in the tub; further to produce a washing machine of maximum simplicity, efficiency and economy; and such further objects, advantages, and capabilities as will later more fully appear.

My invention further resides in the combination, construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and while a preferred embodiment is shown therein, I desire the same to be understood as illustrative only, and not as limiting the scope of my invention.

In the drawin s V Fi 1 is a si e elevation of my improved washing machine, parts being shown in section.

Fig. 2 is a vertical section through the tub shown in Fig. 3,

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the top of the tub, with the cover and associated arts removed. Figure 4 is a detail sectional view on the line 44, Figure 3. Figure 5 is a detail sectional view on the line 55, Figure 3.

In general my improved washing machine comprises a tub 1, preferably square (with rounded corners) and supported on four legs 2, one of which is sli htly offset to support a vertical wringer sha 3, the wringer 4 and the wringer driving mechanism 6 enclosed within a casing or housing 5. This shaft is located at one of the corners of the tub so that the wringer 4 may be swung into parallelism with either of two adjacent sides of the tub or entirely free or away from the tub. Driving connections 7 are also provided to another vertical shaft 8 located on the opposite side of the tub. Fixed to the upper end of shaft 8 is a segmental rack a, meshing with horizontal gear I), which in turn has driving engagement with pinion c, fixed to the upper end of the shaft (1, which extends downwardly into the tub and carries the liquid im eller 10. As

shown in the drawings, the rac a, gear 6 and inion c are seated within depressions forming a chamber within the cover 9 so that the top or cover of the tub is substantially flat and free of projections. The subject-matter of these various features and of other features not herein described and claimed are fully set forth and claimed in Patent 1,644,959 hereinbefore identified and also in certain other divisional applications thereof.

The tub 1 which forms an important .feature of my present invention is formed entirely of metal, preferably of cast aluminum or aluminum alloy. In this manner I provide a light all-metal tub which has relatively smooth inner walls which will not water soak, rust, corrode, dry out, sliver or splinter, will remain sanitary and will possess maximum durability. I preferably form the tub body in two parts, a lower major part 11 having integral side and bottom walls, and an upper part 12 riveted or otherwise fastened to the upper edges of the lower part, thereby reinforcing the tub at this zone and also providing a rim of special construction hereinafter described and an opening for the tub at the top.

I also preferably construct the tub with sides which are angularly disposed with respect to each other, in the present instance the tub being made square with rounded corners and of relatively shallow dimensions. By forming the tub of rectangular shape, it will more readily fit into corners and occupy less room, will permit the positioning of the swinging wringer exactly parallel to either of tub with angularly disposed sides in that the" water will be forced more efficiently and thoroughly through the meshes of the fabrics.

The body portion of the tub is sloped inwardly and downwardly as shown at 13 and 14, and is provided at its central and lowermost portion with an opening 15, to which is suitably and in a water-tight manner connected the outlet member 16, to which member in turn is secured a drain hose, or the like, 17.

It will be apparent that since the four side walls of my tub incline inwardly and downwardly as at 13 and 14, they permit the washing of fabrics in a relatively small amount of water in the bottom of the tub, and further, it is apparent that by reason of the convergence of these lateral walls at the drain opening 15, the water may be drained from the tub without tipping it laterally. The drain hose 17, when not in draining position, is at its free end placed between the proj'ecting fingers 18 at the top of the tub to be held therein while the tub is in operation, which, as will be noted, positions the outlet end of the drain hose above the water level, and prevents the passage .of any water through the drain hose. This construction, if desired, may take the place of a valve. thus rendering the drain hose always ready for use by simply detaching it from supporting fingers 18, and the end of the hose moved to a sewer, grating, bucket, or the like. As seen in Fig. 2, the top portion 12 of the tub is secured by rivets, bolts, or the like 19, to the sides of the lower major portion of the tub. It will be noticed that this top portion of the tub not only reinforces the tub at this point, but also provides the tub with an upper opening through'which the clothes may be inserted into the tub and through which the water may drain back into the tub from the wringer. For instance in the particular construction shown, this upper tub portion or rim has integrally formed therewith, the flanges 20, 21, 22, and 23, extending inwardly along the respective sides of the tub, which not only form the tub opening, but also form water draining surfaces for the upper side of the tub. More particularly, these drainin surfaces conduct the water back from t e wringer, and also from overhanging water deflecting flanges, which as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings, overhang the vertical sides of the tub and prevent upwardly splashing water from being thrown out by the agitator. In other words, I prefer to form the opening substantially centrally of the tub and removed from ltl the lateral tub walls. This is accomplished by the flanges. As clearly shown in the drawings, the flanges 20 and 22 are inclined downwardly and inwardly from contiguous sides of the tub, said flanges having connected contiguous ends. In a similar manner the flanges 20 and 21 are connected to the other contiguous sides of the tub and also have connected contiguous end portions. In addition to the flanges, the upper tub part carries the upstanding marginal ridge 24 for preventing the water spilling over onto the floor and for returning it back to the drain surfaces 20, 21 and 22. The cover 9 is hinged to a cover plate which overhangs the flange 21. From Fig. 1 it will be noted that the drain hose supporting fingers 18 are formed as part of cover plate 25, and extend a slight distance beyond the side of the tub. It will be understood that the end of drain hose 17 will be provided with suitable extensions 26 to insure that the end of the hose will be retained in position in fingers 18, until its removal is desired.

The upper portion of the sides of tub 1 are substantially straight, and the side viewed in Fig. 1 is of special formation to aflord secure contact therewith of an adja cent tub to be secured to the first tub, as set forth and claimed in said Letters Patent 1,644,959. This is effected by providing this side of the top portion with upstanding and narrower portions 28, and the lower or main portion of the tub body with outstanding ribs 29, whose faces are in the same plane with the faces of portion 28. A similar construction is formed in the auxiliary tub or extension to be attached to the first described tub, which connection is effected by bolts, or the like, extending through ribs 29.

As will be seen in Figs. 2 and 3, the two flanges 20 and 22 adjacent which the wringer will be swung in two of its positions are downwardly and inwardly inclined to return any water coming in contact therewith from the wringer into the tub. The greater portions of the remaining flanges bounding the opening in the tub top are flat, as shown at 21 and 23, and the entire top of the tub is substantially surrounded by an upstanding flange 24, to assist in returning any spilled water back into the tub, and prevent the same from going on to the floor. It is also to be noted that the inner edge of the flange l 23 is downwardly and inwardly inclined, as

shown at 27, in Fig. 2, which consmuction further assists in returning spilled water into the tub. The under face of the marginal portion of the tub lid 9 is formed with the depending flange 30, which as seen in Fig. 2, fits inside of upstanding rib or flange 24 to effect a substantially water tight joint.

Having now described my invention, I

claim:

1. In a washing machine, a tub of approximately rectangular form in horizontal section constructed with vertical side walls, the upper portions of two contiguous'side walls being each provided with a downwardly and inwardly inclined flange, said flanges having connected contiguous ends, the upper portion. of the remaining side walls each having an inwardly extended approximately horizontal flange, the last mentioned flanges having connected contiguous ends, the inner edges of all of the flanges cooperating to provide a central clothes opening in the upper part of the tub.

2. In a washing machine, a tub of approximately rectangular form in horizontal section constructed with vertical side walls, the upper portions of two contiguous side walls being each provided with a downwardly and inwardly inclined flange, said flanges having connected contiguous ends, the upper portion of the remaining side walls each having an inwardly extended approximately horizontal flange, the last mentioned flanges having connected contiguous ends, the inner edges of all of the flanges cooperating to provide a cen-.

tral clothes opening in the upper part of the tub, the marginal top edges of all of said sides projecting upwardly above the planes of the outer margins of said flanges, so as to prevent outward overflow of liquids falling upon said flanges, and a cover pivotally supported over one of said horizontal flanges, said cover having an angularly disposed marginal flange positioned to fit within said marginal top edges.

3. In a washing machine, a tub of approximately rectangular form in horizontal section constructed with vertical side walls, the upper portions of two contiguous side walls being each provided with a downwardly and inwardly inclined flange, said flanges having connected contiguous ends, the upper portions of the remaining side walls each having an inwardly extended approximately horizontal flange, the last mentioned flanges having connected contiguous ends, the inner edges of all of the flanges cooperating to provide acentral clothes opening in the upper part of the tub, one of said horizontal flanges having a downwardly inclined inner edge.

4. In a washing machine, a tub of approximately rectangular form in horizontal section constructed with vertical side walls, the upper portions of two contiguous side walls being each provided with a downwardly and inwardly inclined flange, said flanges having connected contiguous ends, the upper portion of the remaining side walls each having an inwardly extended approximately horizontal flange, the last mentioned flanges having connected contiguous ends, the inner edges of all of the flanges cooperating to provide a central clothes opening in the upper part of the tub, one of said horizontal flanges having a depression intermediate between its ends, so

as to receive an actuating device, a cover plate over said depression, and a cover hinged to said cover plate.

5. In a washing machine, an all metal tub formed of approximately rectangular form in horizontal section and constructed of thin metal, a reenforcing rim fastened to the upper edges of thetub walls and projecting above said edges, the upper portions of two contiguous side Walls being each provided with a downwardly and inwardly inclined flange, said flanges having connected contiguous ends, the upper portions of the remaining side walls of the tub each havingan in; y wardly extended approximately horizontal flange, said last mentioned flanges also having connected contiguous ends, the inner edges of all' of the flanges cooperating to provide a central clothes opening in the upper part of the tub.

6. In a washing machine, an all metal tub of approximately rectangular form in horizontal section and constructed of thin metal, a reenforcing rim fasten-ed to the upper edges 2:, of the tub walls and projecting above said edges, the upper portions of two contiguous side walls being each provided with a downwardly and inwardly inclined flange, said flanges having connected contiguous ends, the

an upper portions of the remaining side walls of the tub each having an inwardly extended approximately horizontal flange, said last mentioned flanges also having connected contiguous ends, the inner edges of all of the flanges cooperating to provide a central clothes opening in the upper part of the tub,

the marginal top edges of all of the sides of said reenforcing rim projecting upwardly above the outer marginal planes of said 40 flanges, so as to prevent outward overflow of liquids falling on said flanges.

7. In a washing machine, a tub comprising a main body portion provided with side walls which slope inwardly and downwardly at 45 their basal portions, so as to converge to a central drain opening, a cover plate extending inwardly over a portion of the top of said tub, a flexible tubular drain pipe connected at one end to said drain opening, and outwardly extended supporting fingers projecting from said cover plate and constructed to removably support the free end of the drain pipe with its open end above the normal level of the water within the tub, so that while said m drain pipe is engaged with said fingers water will be retained within the tub, and while the free end of said drain pipe is lowered below said water level the water within the tub will flow therefrom. m- In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name to this specification.

HOWARD F. SNYDER. 

